Lanky, charismatic and versatile actor with an amazing grin that put everyone at ease, James Coburn studied acting at UCLA, and then moved to New York to study under noted acting coach 'Stella Adler' , before his death from a heart attack in November of 2002. Coburn's passions in life included martial arts, card playing and enjoying fine Cuban cigars!
In 1979, Coburn started suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis, which left him debilitated at times. In 1998, a holistic healer started him on a dietary supplement, which resulted in a drastic improvement in his condition.
Became a father for the 1st time at age 32 when his 1st wife Beverly Kelly gave birth to their son James H. Coburn IV on May 22, 1961.
Along with his The Magnificent Seven co-star, Steve McQueen , Coburn was a pallbearer at the funeral of his friend (and his martial arts instructor), Bruce Lee , on July 31, 1973 in Seattle, Washington.
Appears on the cover of Paul McCartney s 1973 album "Band on the Run".
He co-wrote two songs with Lynsey de Paul , "Melancholy Melon" and "Losin the Blues for You" that appeared on her album "Tigers and Fireflies".
He had a relationship with Lynsey de Paul.
Step-daughter Lisa was web mistress for genesimmons.com, the official website of Gene Simmons from the rock group KISS.
At the time of his death, he was at home listening to music and playing his flute.
Appeared with Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson in two films, both of which were directed by John Sturges : The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape .
College friend of his The Magnificent Seven co-star Robert Vaughn.
Was a big fan of Shichinin no samurai . His favorite character in that film eventually became the character he ended up playing in The Magnificent Seven .
Despite being one of the stars, he had only eleven lines in The Magnificent Seven .
He once played the gong on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" .
For a time he did ads for "Schlitz" beer. Later after the contract was finished he admitted on a talk show that he never liked the taste of the beer.
Was the original choice for the role of Hannibal Smith in "The A-Team" , a role which later went to George Peppard.
During the 1960s he was often compared with Lee Marvin.
Became good friends with Kris Kristofferson during the filming of Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid . They also worked together on Convoy and Payback . Coburn contributed with backup vocals on Kristoffersons album "Whos to Bless and Whos to Blame".
Has appeared in two feature films with actor Mel Gibson. Maverick and Payback .
Has a granddaughter named Jayn Coburn who is the daughter of his son James H. Coburn IV.
Gained an Associate of Arts from Compton Junior College in 1950, before being drafted into the Army. Then on his return from service in Germany, he studied acting at Los Angeles City College, (along with Robert Vaughn) and improvisation at Jeff Coreys Professional Actors Workshop. One of his colleagues there was James Dean. He did not study at UCLA.
Mr. Coburn appeared in two films about William H. (Billy the Kid) Bonney. He played in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid , as Pat Garrett. And he played John Simpson Chisum in Young Guns II.
People think about that. People think that acting is an easy chore.
I came from dust bowl folk -- ordinary people who were stultified by the,American Dream.
[on winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for,Affliction (1997) ] I finally got one right, I guess.
